Argentina Vs. Paraguay Recap: Late Goal By Barrios Stuns Argentina In Copa America Opener [VIDEO]

Argentina scored twice in the first half, but faltered down the stretch surrendering two goals in the final 30 minutes, including a last minute stoppage time goal to Lucas Barrios and Paraguay came back to tie Argentina 2-2 on Saturday. It was the opening match of the 2015 Copa America for both teams, but allowed the world to see the 2011 finalists, against one of the favorites to hoist the cup at this year's tournament.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero opened up the scoring for Argentina in the first half with a nifty goal in the 29^th minute. Aguero stole a pass by Paraguay's Miguel Samudio and buried it into the bottom left corner of the net, past a diving Antony Domingo Silva.

Samudio had a rough day on the job as he was called for a foul on Angel di Maria in the box and Argentina was awarded the penalty. Lionel Messi stepped up and converted the free kick to double the score and give the Albiceleste an early 2-0 lead.

"We needed a slap in the face in the first half," Paraguay midfielder Nelson Valdez said. "But we came out and did what we needed to do in the second. It was a very good finish."

Argentina went into the second half believing they had the match won thanks to Messi, but Paraguay would come back. Valdez scored a fantastic goal at the hour mark of the match, cutting Argentina's lead in half at 2-1.

"Paraguayans never give up," Valdez said. "We showed that again today. We did not roll over and die. We are a family. We are individually less talented, but as a team we are better."

Argentina still looked like the better and more talented team on the pitch as they put constant pressure on Paraguay's defense throughout the match. Despite their best efforts, Messi and Javier Pastore could not answer Valdez's strike and with time running out in the game, Paraguay began to get desperate.

Substitute Lucas Barrios came on for Roque Santa Cruz with 11 minutes left in the match and became the hero of Paraguay when his dramatic stoppage time goal, stunned Argentina and tied the game at 2-2. Barrios fired a low angle shot past Argentina's goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, and into the net after Argentina failed to clear the ball off of a set piece.

"We deserved to win this match, but that's how the game goes," Romero said. "We are still a candidate to win this tournament."

The result dampers Argentina's expected easy route through Group B, and pumps up Paraguay who was not expected to advance into the knockout stages. Argentina will need a victory over Jamaica and Paraguay in order to guarantee a ticket to the next round, whereas Paraguay will need a win or draw against Uruguay to have a good shot at moving on.